Sleep apnea Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, sleep apnea, and major depressive disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after separation from service.,Service connection could not be established because the Veteran did not have a continuous diagnosis of these conditions since service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including right shoulder injury, low back injury/surgery, eye disabilities, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, lumps on back of right shoulder, residuals of sores on back of head, chloracne, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), insomnia, and depression. The remand includes obtaining VA treatment records from the San Antonio VAMC, National Guard or Reserve service records, and clarifying private audiological evaluation results.

The Board found that the original service connection for lumbosacral strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee was based on a clerical error in the September 2013 administrative decision. The appeal is denied as the severance of service connection was proper.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the April 2019 VA examiner's opinion. The Board requests an addendum opinion from another appropriate medical professional, considering the Veteran's lay statements and VA/privae treatment records.

The Veteran's OSA is found to be related to his active service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and gastritis, finding that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to her service-connected PTSD and/or her medications for PTSD, and thus grants service connection on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and lumbosacral neuritis/radiculopathy disabilities are granted as secondary to her service-connected left knee arthritis.,Her bipolar disorder is granted based on evidence showing it had its onset during service, with symptoms continuing since then.,Her sleep apnea is granted as secondary to her service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea should be remanded due to an inadequate August 2015 VA opinion and the need for a new opinion considering the Veteran's statements about his symptoms during active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, but has remanded the cases of residuals of a nasal fracture and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found that further development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and sleep apnea, as these conditions are related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. The case is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for various conditions due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's initial schedular rating for tinnitus is denied as it is the highest available.,An extraschedular rating for tinnitus is also denied due to the maximum schedular rating being assigned.,Service connection for hearing loss is not granted because the Veteran does not have hearing impairment for VA purposes.,Effective from November 8, 2012, a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral DDD is granted. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to incomplete opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, stomach condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service-connected PTSD. The VA needs to schedule a medical examination and provide an opinion on this matter.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, but denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction due to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. Service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of sleep apnea, and her lumbar spine disability was rated based on limitation of motion rather than IVDS. Her skin disability met criteria for a 10% rating since May 30, 2018. PTSD symptoms did not meet criteria for TDIU, but the Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issue of an initial compensable evaluation for polycystic kidney disease. The left hip scar case is also remanded.